Nobody still monitoring this board I'm sure, but just in case, I'm slowly returning to the market after a bit of a hiatus. I needed it. I've started up a second business and spending most of my extra time with that. Haven't read a Motley Fool post in 4 months : )

Picking spots VERY cautiously ... unlike you I don't look to short term investments very often ... I keep seeking deeper value thats not quite so obvious to others ... So I have begun dabbling in some Canadian royalty trusts that seem to have been marked down too much ... and Hudson City Bank did appear interesting to me so dipped a toe in there with my Momentum Port ... we'll see ...

Otherwise I went into some telecom a while back (VZ) and am keeping on eye on that ... I keep watching for both Telecom and or Utility infrastructure plays to exhibit signs that the ARRA will allow for more than a short term transitory play, but I don't think I see such signs yet ... but then again, maybe I need to get out of the den a bit more often <smile>? However, here on the Northern Plains winter seems to be coming in strong and early, so maybe its a sign to hunker down and wait out the chilly winds blowing through all sorts of environments?

As noted, Wed with the market drop, I added my first two individual stocks in quite some time, AA and KIRK. Yesterday made me look pretty good. Today I give back 1/2 the AA gain and KIRK is actually up a smidge. Today I added just a shade of DROOY.

If the dollar rallies, then I'll need to get out of AA and DROOY pretty quick. I like both individually as AA I believe has decent longer-term fundamentals at current prices (though it could easily drop to 8-9 with a market collapse), and DROOY is a hedge. If the world goes to s*** again gold will rally. Now that its above 1000 it has a chance of staying there unless the dollar rallies. At some point US interest rates are going to go up, the deficit piper will need to be paid and gold will rally. That could be awhile yet to play out though.

Also at some point US treasuries are going in the can. I've played the short long-bond ETF, TBT, and will continue to do so. Also at some point, oil will rise again, perhaps if the world appears to be stabilizing, and XOM will be a good play. Like to see it at 60 again. If oil is rising ag probably will too and I've put POT, AGU and MOS on my watch list.

I'm watching things in the market for now. I think the trend is down after topping out at 10K and will start putting money into equities at about 8K or so. I still do buys on a regular basis on my 401K and have been paying down my house mortgage and should have the whole thing paid off by next year (a guaranteed 6% return!).

I'm watching things in the market for now. I think the trend is down after topping out at 10K and will start putting money into equities at about 8K or so. I still do buys on a regular basis on my 401K and have been paying down my house mortgage and should have the whole thing paid off by next year (a guaranteed 6% return!).

Good to see you and Icy around.

Erick

Sounds like a good plan.

I agree about 10K on the Dow. Yesterday I sold my KIRK and AA positions in the morning and later went short the Dow. Unfortunately, I think we could see a considerable period of sideways markets. So I think 10.3K tops on Dow, not sure on downside though 8K ounds reasonable.